Mechanism of Skin Aging
Aging is a natural process and its most evident outward projection is appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Our skin start aging from the late 20s but its effects become more apparent as we age. Collagen and elastin are the two major proteins that are the basis or cell structure which make skin elastic, supple and youthful. With time, these proteins start depleting leading to appearance of wrinkles, lines and deep furrows on face, forehead, neck and back of hands.
Top 10 Home Remedies to Treat Wrinkles and Fine Lines
Although several over the counter creams and beauty products are available in the market that help treat skin aging, it is best to opt for time tested home remedies that are not only effective, but also safe with no side effects.
Olive Oil
Olive oil is one of the most effective natural oils that help in lightening wrinkles and fine lines and tightening sagging skin. It is a rich source of vitamins, minerals and natural fatty acids that nourishes the skin because it is readily absorbed by the skin pores. Being loaded with vitamins A and E, it functions as a powerful antioxidant and helps in hydrating skin and maintaining its youthful suppleness and elasticity so that it appears younger for longer.
Pour a few drops of virgin olive oil in your palm and apply on clean face and neck using soft circular motion. Massage for 5 to 10 minutes before going to bed; wash off with water in the morning.
Aloe vera
The benefits of aloe vera for skin are numerous. It functions as an effective natural remedy for pimples and acne and reducing excessive oiliness of skin. Malic acid present in aloe vera gel improves skin elasticity and reduces wrinkles and fine lines- the most evident signs of skin aging. Zinc present in the gel increases the youthfulness of skin by shrinking the pores whereas mucopolysaccharides – long chain sugar molecules present in the gel helps in retaining moisture and improves formation of collagen – the protein that forms the basis of cell structure and maintains skin elasticity.
Cut off a leaf from the plant and scrape out the gel, apply on clean face, massage for 5 to 10 minutes in soft circular motion. Let it stay for 20 minutes and wash off with lukewarm water.
Fenugreek
Fenugreek is an extremely common kitchen spice that has immense medicinal value and has been used for ages as a home remedy for treating various ailments. Fenugreek seeds are a rich source of vitamin B3 and niacin that helps in recovering the damaged skin cells and promotes the regeneration of new cells and tissues that help in lightening age spots, hyper pigmentation wrinkles, fine lines and crow’s feet that form on the forehead, at corner of eyes and lips.
Grind a handful of fenugreek seeds to form a thick paste, add a tea spoon of honey to it, mix well and apply on face and neck. Let it stay for 1 hour and wash off with water.
Egg Whites
Applying egg white mask is an easy and effective way of lightening wrinkles and fine lines. Spreading egg white on the wrinkled areas helps in stretching the skin and shrinking the open pores to give it a smoother, younger and youthful appearance. Being a rich source of proteins, potassium, magnesium and riboflavin it aids tissue repair, hydrates and moisturizes skin and neutralizes the damage caused by free radicals and oxidative stress- two of the chief reasons for premature skin aging.
Break an egg and separate the yolk carefully. Apply the egg white evenly on face, let it dry for 15 minutes and wash off with water.
Bananas
Bananas are a readily available and cheap natural anti-aging remedy. This fruit is loaded with skin benefitting nutrients such as potassium, vitamin B, vitamin C and vitamin E that makes it a complete remedy for all skin problems. It helps in hydrating and moisturizing dry skin, improving collagen production, skin elasticity and suppleness and fighting the damage causing free radicals and oxidative stress to provide a flawless and younger looking skin and adds a healthy glow to it.
Mash 2 ripe bananas to form a smooth paste, apply it evenly on clean face and let it stay for 30 minutes, wash off thoroughly with water and apply moisturizer.
Honey
Honey is nature’s answer to all skin problems. It is the best nourishment for dry skin that helps in keeping skin hydrated by preventing moisture loss. It exfoliates skin to remove dead cells and promotes the regeneration of new cells which in turn lightens age spots, hyper pigmentation and scars. Vitamin B and potassium present in honey also helps in improving skin elasticity and suppleness.
Take a teaspoon of pure honey on your palm and apply it on your clean face using soft circular motion, let it stay for 20 minutes and wash off with lukewarm water.
Lemon Juice
The natural bleaching property of lemon juice makes it a perfect natural remedy for removing tan and sunburn. Being a rich source of citric acid, it helps in exfoliating skin, removing dead skin cells and impurities and shrinking open pores to provide a smooth and younger appearance to skin. It tightens the tissues and increases skin elasticity to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. It also helps in improving complexion and adding a healthy glow to skin.
Squeeze out the juice from one lemon and dab on clean face with the help of cotton ball, let it stay for 30 minutes and wash off with water.
Pineapples
Pineapple acts as an amazing natural remedy for improving digestion and treating digestive disorders. Pineapple juice is also effective for preventing premature aging. Being loaded with antioxidants such as potassium and vitamin C, pineapple juice helps in neutralizing the harmful effects of free radicals and oxidative stress of cells thus preventing premature aging of skin. It also helps in improving skin tone and correcting uneven skin tone, dark patches, age spots and hyper pigmentation.
Crush 1/2 cup of pineapple pulp in the blender to form a smooth paste, apply it on face and neck and let it stay for 20 minutes, wash off with lukewarm water.
Avocados
The benefits of avocados for weight loss and improving health are well known. The rich creamy flesh of this fruit also helps in increasing the suppleness and youthfulness of skin by increasing elasticity. It is loaded with nutrients such as vitamin B, C, E, K, selenium, potassium, zinc, folate and beta carotene that has amazing benefits for skin. It acts as a nourishing moisturizer for excessive dry skin that also helps in repairing damaged cells and promotes the regeneration of new cells. The antioxidants and amino acids present in this exotic fruit flushes out toxins from skin and prevents premature skin aging.
Scrap out the pulp from one fruit and mash it to form a smooth paste, apply it on clean face and let it stay for 30 minutes, wash off with water.
Almonds
The health benefits of almonds and almond oil need no emphasis. It acts as a multipurpose skin treatment that makes it an active ingredient in beauty, skin care and baby care products. Almonds are loaded with nutrients such as vitamin E, iron, zinc, folic acid and oleic acid that function as powerful antioxidants which prevent the degeneration of collagen fibers of skin and delay the aging process by treating wrinkles and fine lines.
Soak 8 to 10 almonds in milk overnight, grind the nuts and turn it into a thick paste, apply on clean face and massage for 5 minutes using soft circular motions, leave for 30 minutes and wash off thoroughly with lukewarm water.
Tips to Prevent the Appearance of Wrinkles and Fine Lines
Using these natural remedies and following these simple tips can go a long way in slowing down the process of aging and preserving the youthfulness of skin.
Maintain a healthy lifestyle and have a balanced diet that includes all nutrients.
Drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water daily so that your skin remains well hydrated.
Give up unhealthy habits such as smoking and drinking.
Get at least 8 hours of sleep daily.
Eat foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids and antioxidants.
Reduce stress and anxiety and try to relax your mind.
Now that you know the easily available natural remedies for wrinkles, include them in your daily skin care regime and don’t forget to share your youthful skin remedies with us.